It’s not only the Tories. The SNP government in Scotland is allowing a free vote on same sex marriage (I’m not sure about the other party positions) and at least 4 (possibly 6) Scottish Government ministers are expected to vote against it or abstain given their views on gay equality.

It’s bad enough that any party gives their MSPs/MPs a free vote, but at the very least, those who hold government positions should not be allowed to vote against government legislation. What about collective cabinet responsibility?

The fact that some MPs are worried about their jobs if they support equal marriage tells you that they have not courage, no character and cannot be trusted to do the right thing. If this were a question of demanding religious same-sex marriage, or compelling religious denominations to participate in them, then that would be entirely different matter, but it isn’t.

I’m an atheist but if I were an MP, I wouldn’t vote to ban religious denominations from performing straight or gay marriages even though I personally believe that all marriages should be civil, based on the French model.

It’s about time we heard from the Quakers, Unitarians and Reformed/Liberal Judaism to address the bigotry coming from the mainstream culprits in fomenting intolernace and defeat of equal marriage. Religious freedom should guarantee the freedom of those to participate or not participate. Those in support are the ones who should be speaking out loudly, clearly and persistently.

You’re right about some MPs being worried about losing their seats if they vote for equal marriage, which is cowardly.

Just after the Scottish Parliament election last year, I contacted my new constituency MSP asking her views on marriage equality. She told me she was in favour of it and that she would vote for it if it ever got that far. However, she is now undecided on the matter due to “various issues raised” during the Scottish Government’s consultation. I can only assume she has had enough constituents opposed to it to make her worry about losing her seat. It’s disgusting.

BennieM, they shouldn’t be in power if they’re kow-towing to bigotry in an attempt to protect their own jobs. It IS disgusting and shows the corruption in the political system. It proves that many of them are disingenuous and dishonest. No guts, no character, unworthy of elected office.

Absolutely, Robert, I couldn’t have said it better myself! I am so frustrated that my local representative can back-track like this from a fully pro-gay stance to being undecided. I doubt she was swayed by any arguments against equal marriage, so it can only be fear of losing her seat. To think that such an important issue is being decided by self-serving people like this is truly disgusting.

BennieM, let her know that you won’t be voting for her any more. I’ve done the same with my own MP. Some say they’ll support it but who knows how they’ll vote when the time comes if they consider their jobs far more important than the rights of the people they’re supposed to represent.

I already have, Robert! I also have a slight worry that even though a majority of MSPs have already pledged their support of equal marriage, not all of them will vote for it in the end. A pledge is not a guarantee they’ll vote for it – just look at the Lib Dems pledging No to tuition fees before the 2010 general election.

Unforunately my MP is Tory – so, like most Tories, doesn’t give a damn about my rights or humanity

Maybe if Cameron imposed the whip and brought his party in line with those that ACTUALLY support our equality far more than his? Or maybe if he had a party whose voting record (ah yes, we’re not supposed to mention that – it’s somehow wrong and unfair to look at their records) weren’t such overwhelming proof of bigotry, such concerted lobbying wouldn’t be needed

Guarantees don’t guarantee anything. A sufficient number of Tories are needed to guarantee passage. We still don’t know if those numbers are there within the Tory party. Only a small number of them support it as of now.

I’m just teasing the LGBTory who is playing the ingenious card. Two whole years have passed by and this group has been conveniently silent on most important issues, then suddenly someone appears from nowhere to ask for… gasp… help!

To be honest there are probably more important issues for the Government to be concentrating on… the economy, what happens if the euro zone crisis continues / gets worse, etc. There is a commitment by all party leaders to get this sorted by the end of this parliament, so it will happen.

In reality this is legislation to sort out a poor compromise passed by the last Government who had a large majority and did not pass a Civil equal marriage act.

I’m sure Tories get their glasses from a special shop!
My MP is sitting on the fence to protect his job, and he calls himself a Socialist (when the public aren’t in earshot)!
We need a name and shame list. There is a c4me list but it’s seriously out of date.

Does the UK have the laziest gay community in the world? For months, you have sat back and done nothing while the other side orchestrated a letter campaign during the consultation and a high-profile online petition, not to mention a media campaign in the tabloids. You have to speak up and fight back or an impression is created that only the anti-gay side cares about this issue. I know you may vote Tory, but by being passive, you are hurting yourselves, not to mention others around the world who would benefit from passage of marriage equality in the UK.

You believe in the Tories, Matthew, so YOU lobby them. And it looks like you’re gonna have to lobby them hard. I can imagine what most of them think when you come through the door. It’s not something nice. I wish you luck.

In this piece congratulating the Tories and Labour for their great work on equality issues, I feel that one party has been left out…

…The party which has been driving the campaign for marriage equality in government and has, long before the other main parties, prioritised LGBT rights. The only main party which, so far, has no MPs who have said they are against equal marriage.

People may hate the Liberal Democrats at the moment, but we should give credit when due. Without them I do not believe the Conservatives would be trying to drive through equal marriage.

“Recent petty point scoring from certain people across the political spectrum…”

I take it you are referring to the preceding three paragraphs of your piece, in which you highlight every pro-equality stance taken by your party over the last couple of decades, while quickly glossing over those of Labour, and completely ignoring all other parties. Either write a pro-Tory article, or a “we should put our differences aside and all work together” article – combining the two really doesn’t work.